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What’s it like to be Muslim in Valley? Panelists explain
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
About a year ago, Amirah Mufleh was among high-school students who participated in a one-week mock-government experience at Mount Union University in Alliance and was surprised by others’ lack of knowledge on Islam.
On the other hand, the 17-year-old Liberty High School student was grateful she was able to help them learn and change their perceptions about the religion.
“They left with a completely different perspective on what it’s meant to be a Muslim,” recalled Amirah, who also takes classes at Youngstown State University and plans to go into nursing.
Amirah also was one of seven panelists who shared their perceptions, views and thoughts during a 90-minute discussion Sunday afternoon at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on what it’s like to be a Muslim in Youngstown in today’s society and political climate.
About 100 children and adults of many races and faiths came to the gathering at the church, 1105 Elm St.
Amirah explained that many of her fellow students felt confused and disappointed regarding how little they knew about the Muslim faith, and that they discovered some of their initial perceptions had been off base. After learning more from her, though, they felt enlightened, said Amirah, who was born in the Mahoning Valley and who added that many of her relatives have owned businesses and contributed to the area’s vitality and strength.
Also, Amirah said, she grew up in a post-9/11 era and heard her share of stereotypes and negative comments about Muslim people. Nevertheless, the experiences helped to strengthen her faith, added Amirah, who stressed that no correlation exists between the vast majority of Muslims and the Islamic State.
“They hate us, too,” she added.
Providing basic information about Islam was Randa Shabayek, past president of the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown, who noted that many Muslims came to the area from Pakistan, India and elsewhere after World War II to find work in the steel mills.
Islam’s five pillars include a recitation of the Muslim belief in one God, a ritual of five daily prayers and at least one pilgrimage to Mecca. Primary myths surrounding the religion include the assumptions that most Muslims have Arab ethnicity, women are oppressed and that its belief system falls outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition, Shabayek explained.
The vast majority of Muslims believe in worshiping one loving God, taking care of one’s neighbors, visiting those who are sick, treating others as one wishes to be treated, taking care of the Earth and environment and respecting one’s parents, especially in old age, she noted.
“It hurts me so much when I hear the term ‘radical Islam,’” Shabayek added. “We’re Americans, too, and we love our country.”
In most cases, others’ fear of Islam is based on misconceptions and faulty assumptions, so the best way to break through such barriers is to engage in open, honest dialogues, she said.
“We do not get offended by questions,” Shabayek continued. “It shows the person is interested in me. We want to build good relations.”
Susan Esmail, a registered dietitian, said she’s proud to be a Muslim but sometimes fears how her children might be perceived in the community. It’s imperative that others see Muslim people as individuals with unique character traits, not lump them together in a package of stereotypes, the Liberty Township woman explained.
Esmail said extremist factions exist in those and all religions.
“When somebody wants to do something bad, they’re going to find every way possible to justify it,” she added.
Bilal Wekhyan, a Boardman High School 10th-grader, said some of his friends at school hear negative remarks aimed at Muslims, but are often surprised to learn that the vast majority are compassionate and loving, want to spread joy and peace and perform good deeds.
Echoing those sentiments was Zayd Ali, a Canfield High School sophomore.
Several panelists also discussed the fallout related to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days and suspending the refugee program for four months.
Nevertheless, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart, who was confirmed to the federal bench in 2004 by President George W. Bush, granted a nationwide temporary restraining order Friday after the states of Washington and Minnesota had sued, saying Trump’s action is discriminatory as well as disruptive and harmful to many people.
Nuhh Awadallah, who travels each year to Palestine to see relatives, said he felt saddened by the executive order. The Austintown Fitch High School 11th-grader added that family members in that country have been adversely affected by the travel ban.
Also upset and confused by the Trump administration’s decision was Aymen Kotb, an eighth-grader at W.S. Guy Middle School in Liberty.
Former Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown president Shabayek said she hopes Trump will take time to learn more about Islam and refrain from painting all Muslims with one broad stroke. Excluding entire groups of people in discriminatory ways “is not right,” and we should learn from previous, similar mistakes in U.S. history, she continued, adding she hopes life will improve for many Syrian refugees.
“Hopefully we’ll have good news soon that those refugees will be coming to our town. We will be there for them,” Shabayek said.